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The Council of Ministers One Year in OfficeJune 2019

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ContentsChief Ministers forewordSummary

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Governance

Ministerial activities June 2018 - 2019Developing the Common Strategic Policy and Government PlanMinisterial Boards

Highlights of Ministerial achievements

Measuring our progress against the Common Strategic PolicyChief Minister Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sports and Culture Minister for External Relations Minister for International Development Minister for Infrastructure Minister for Social Security Minister for Children and Housing Minister for Home Affairs Minister for Treasury and Resources Minister for Health and Social Services Minister for Education Minister for the Environment

Accountability

States AssemblyScrutiny Panels and CommitteesPublic engagement and scrutiny

International identity and reputation

Constitutional relationship with the UK Brexit European neighbours Global marketsInter-Island relationship Financial regulations and transparency

Appendix

Highlights of Ministerial achievements measured against Common Strategic Policy priorities

All information, including Ministers in office, is correct at date of publication

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Assistant Ministers

Deputy Jeremy MaҫonAssistant Minister for Education, Assistant Minister for Health and Social Services,Assistant Minister for Social Security

Deputy Hugh RaymondAssistant Minister for Health and Social Services,Assistant Minister for Infrastructure

Deputy Montfort TadierAssistant Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture

Connétable Richard BuchananAssistant Chief Minister, Assistant Minister for External Relations

Deputy Gregory GuidaAssistant Minister for the Environment, Assistant Minister for Home Affairs

Senator Steve PallettAssistant Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and CultureAssistant Minister for Health and Social Services

The Council of Ministers One Year in Office The Council of Ministers One Year in Office

Deputy Scott WickendenAssistant Chief Minister,Assistant Minister for Social Security

Deputy Lindsay AshAssistant Minister for Treasury and Resources

Connétable Christopher TaylorAssistant Chief Minister

Council of Ministers

Senator John Le FondréChief Minister

Senator Ian GorstMinister for External Relations

Deputy Judy MartinMinister for Social Security

Deputy Susie PinelMinister for Treasury and Resources

Senator Tracey ValloisMinister for Education

Deputy Kevin LewisMinister for Infrastructure

Connétable Len NormanMinister for Home Affairs

Deputy John YoungMinister for the Environment

Deputy Carolyn LabeyAssistant Chief Minister, Minister for International Development

Senator Sam MézecMinister for Children and Housing

Deputy Richard RenoufMinister for Health and Social Services

Senator Lyndon FarnhamDeputy Chief Minister, Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture

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When I stood as a candidate for Chief Minister, I told my States Assembly colleagues that my focus was on tomorrow; in dealing with the fundamental problems that would be faced by the incoming government and in achieving a better future for our Island in the long term.That could only happen if the new Chief Minister and their Council of Ministers worked collaboratively.

I made it clear that if chosen as Chief Minister my intention was to listen to colleagues, partners and stakeholders before developing major policy proposals. I said I would offer integrity, inclusiveness and teamwork.

During the election we were faced with significant issues on the doorstep including mental health care, housing, immigration and the state of the economy. When we formed as a Council we had immediate legacy issues to address including a potential £260 million lawsuit, the hospital location, Brexit, a £30 million deficit in 2020, economic substance legislation, and UK parliamentarians calling for a public register of beneficial ownership.

A year later, I am proud to say that I chair a Council of Ministers that has come together, from across the political spectrum, to meet the challenges we face and to address the legacy issues that have hindered long-term policy development within the Government of Jersey.

We are meeting our essential responsibilities to the Island:

• To provide political direction and leadership to the work of the public service

• To develop effective and long-lasting policies, built on evidence, that benefit Islanders, our economy and our environment

• To respond to risks to the Island’s constitutional autonomy and international reputation.

We have developed a Common Strategic Policy, which reflects our high-level ambitions for Jersey. This was unanimously approved by the States Assembly in November 2018, and it contains the following five strategic priorities:

• We will put children first

• We will improve Islanders’ well-being and mental and physical health

• We will create a sustainable, vibrant economy and skilled local workforce for the future

• We will reduce income inequality and improve the standard of living

• We will protect and value our environment.

We are working towards the publication of the first Government Plan this autumn. This will replace the existing Medium-Term Financial Plan and Budget processes. It will explain how we will use public money to provide day-to-day services as well as to deliver our strategic priorities, and for the first time in my political term it will combine income and spending into the same process.

And we have published and begun to implement a Children’s Plan, which will

Chief Minister’s foreword

Senator John Le Fondré Chief Minister

Foreword The Council of Ministers One Year in Office Foreword The Council of Ministers One Year in Office

ensure that our young people grow up safely, live healthy lives, and can learn and achieve as valued members of our society.

In both Children’s Services and across government we are working to ensure that the mistakes of the past are not repeated, and that the legacy of this government is one of positivity and inclusion.

We have also begun to meet the challenges presented by years of underinvestment in the public sector, and to encourage cross-departmental working, which echoes how we operate as a collegiate team within the Council of Ministers.

For the first time we have a public service that has begun to break the silos that in the past have inhibited real progress against strategic aims. The Team Jersey programme, initiated by the Chief Executive, is engaging members of our workforce who have traditionally felt isolated or unheard, and we are seeing real improvements that will ultimately provide the efficiencies we must achieve in the long term.

I am the first Chief Minister to nominate a Minister for Children. The creation of this role signals the Government’s commitment to take urgent action to ensure that all children and young people in Jersey are provided with the best quality of care, protection and support.

The Council of Ministers have also benefited from the addition of a Minister for International Development to this Council. My nomination of Deputy Carolyn Labey emphasises the Island’s responsibilities as a credible international actor and a long-term force for good in the world, and brings Jersey in line with many EU and OECD countries.

I have no misconceptions about the difficulties we are facing as an Island. 2019 will potentially be one of the most challenging years that Jersey has faced in recent memory. In October, the outcome of ongoing Brexit preparations will finally be realised, with an increasing possibility of a ‘no deal’ scenario. We need to achieve £30-£40 million of efficiencies by 2020 in order to produce a balanced budget. And we need to reach, as a community, agreement on the construction of our new hospital.

It is the Council of Ministers’ responsibility,

for Islanders, businesses and investors in Jersey, to provide the reassurance and leadership needed to navigate these challenges successfully.

In the face of these risks, we must also embrace opportunities open to the Island.

My government is committed to enhancing Jersey’s international profile, and to developing broad-based relationships with global partners based on shared interests. Part of my role, as Chief Minister, is to represent the Island internationally and to pursue those interests. And as we look forward to 2020, and the 75th anniversary of the Liberation of Jersey, we should take the opportunity presented by this occasion to spread a message to our international partners about all that is good about Jersey; its people, its culture, its businesses and its international connections.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues on the Council of Ministers for their commitment, their integrity and their time over the past year. They carry out difficult Ministerial responsibilities alongside their valuable constituency work, often to the detriment of their family lives. I am grateful for their service.

I also wish to thank my States Assembly colleagues, and those who form the Scrutiny panels, for their continued engagement with government and Ministers. It is right that we are held accountable for our decisions by the public, by Scrutiny and the Assembly. Their oversight ensures that this Council of Ministers remains transparent and effective.

On the anniversary of the formation of the Council of Ministers, I am quietly confident. While we have much still to achieve, for the first time in many years we also have a compelling vision for the future of the Island, and the tangible impacts we can make on Islanders lives.

We have a States Assembly who support that vision, and we have a Council of Ministers who are committed to seeing that vision made reality, working in partnership with the community to achieve success.

Senator John Le Fondré Chief Minister

8 9The Council of Ministers One Year in Office The Council of Ministers One Year in OfficeForeword Foreword

Protecting and valuing our environment

Reducing income inequality and improving the standard of living

Creating a sustainable, vibrant economy and skilled local workforce for the future

Improving Islanders’ wellbeing and mental and physical health

Putting children first

Promoting and protecting Jersey interests, profile and reputation

Pledge to Put Children First

Creation of a new Children and Young People’s Plan

Introduction of Children’s Rights Officer

Early Years (includes NEF) – Establishing a Policy Development Board

Review of Education (Jersey) Law 1999 and Day Care of Children (Jersey) Law 2002

School Meals pilot

Improvements to mental health provision

Changes to organ donation law

Successful health promotion campaigns

Improved access to primary care services

Review of sports facilities

Compensation for asbestos disease sufferers

Creation of Future Economy Programme

Establishing a Productivity Support Scheme

Joint working with Crown Dependencies to respond to UK Parliament calls for an open Register of Beneficial Ownership

Completion of new Customs Arrangement with the United Kingdom

Publication of Digital Skills Strategy

Introduction of work permits for agricultural and hospitality workers

Increase in the minimum wage

Support for low-income families

Improvements to social-rented housing

Creation of Closer to Home Scheme

Introduction of disability discrimination regulations

Full review of personal income tax regime

Family-friendly employment legislation

Review of Island Plan

Management of marine resources

New Wildlife Law consultation

Investigation of PFOS contamination

Construction contract for the new Bellozanne Sewage Treatment Works

Approval of cycle and walking links at Jersey Harbours

Leading Jersey’s Brexit preparations

Channel Islands Political Oversight Board

Appointment of Minister for International Development

Island identity initiative

Agreement of Framework for Return of Assets from Corruption and Crime to Kenya

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Summary

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35Comments lodged

Ministerial activities June 2018 - June 2019

2New Ministries created

11Ministers appointed

100Government Propositions lodged

11Major new pieces of legislation delivered and approved

134 Reports issued

81Ministerial regulations and orders tabled

52Public scrutiny hearings with Ministers

22Council of Ministers meetings held

274Oral Questions answered

349Questions Without Notice answered

659Ministerial Decisions made

5Policy and Oversight Boards created

1Common Strategic Policy approved

1Budget approved

2British-Irish Council summits attended

3Meet the Minister events

12Brexit Ministerial meetings

28Consultations launched

38Ministerial engagements with foreign governments

22Meetings with UK government Ministers

11Statements on matters of official responsibility

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389Written Questions answered

19Council of Ministers strategy sessions held

14 15Governance Governance

Developing the Common Strategic Policy (CSP) and Government PlanIn October 2018, the States Assembly agreed a proposed set of strategic priorities as part of the Common Strategic Policy 2018-22. The strategic priorities are a statement of the shared ambitions to make a positive difference for Jersey. They will guide the decisions made by the Council of Ministers and the States Assembly for this government term, but also leave a legacy that will benefit the generations to follow. The priorities, unanimously agreed by the Assembly, are:

• We will put children first• We will improve Islander’s wellbeing

and mental and physical health• We will create a sustainable,

vibrant economy and skilled local workforce for the future

• We will reduce income inequality and improve the standard of living

• We will protect and value our environment.

Since agreeing the strategic priorities, Ministers and Assistant Ministers have been working collaboratively to design a programme of work to realise the ambition for each of the strategic priorities. This work will be detailed in the Government Plan 2020-23, which is on track to be lodged with the Assembly in July 2019. This will be a rolling four year plan, updated annually, which is the first of its kind for the Government of Jersey. The Government Plan will be underpinned by the new Public Finances (Jersey) Law 2019, which requires the Government Plan to set out information on Jersey’s public finances for the approval of the States Assembly.

The Government Plan is an important first step towards bringing together a more transparent and accessible statement of:

• the activities, changes and improvements to be achieved in 2020, along with an indication of those planned for 2021-23, to address the strategic priorities

• the essential day-to-day public services that will continue to be provided, the

major projects will be delivered and the approach to addressing strategic risks

• what those activities, services, changes and improvements will cost and how they will be funded

• how progress will be measured, linked to improved outcomes for Islanders and the new performance framework, to show what’s been delivered and whether the desired outcomes have been achieved.

Ministerial BoardsThe Chief Minister has initiated the creation of Policy Development boards to consider matters of major public interest or concern and support States Members to be more involved in the policy development process.

While the last government created a range of advisory groups, some of which included other States Members, these new boards introduce more rigour, formality and transparency to the process, assisting in the early engagement of States Members and members of the public.

The advice of the boards is public, and the members of the board are free to say and act as they wish, including dissenting, so long as they respect the confidentiality of information they receive. The function is very different from the role of Scrutiny, and does not preclude ongoing and early engagement with Scrutiny Panels.

The following rules, which will be subject to review, apply to membership of any Policy Development Board:

• a States Member can only sit on a Board if they are also part of the Scrutiny process. This condition protects the Scrutiny function, ensuring that Members do not instead gravitate to Boards

• a States Member cannot serve on a Board if they could reasonably expect to be on the Panel reviewing a decision based on that Board’s advice

• Boards exist to provide the Minister with advice only. They do not determine government policy.

The following boards have been established by the Chief Minister:

Hospital Policy Development Board

This board was set up to consider the evidence and support the Council of Ministers plan for the new hospital to be located on the existing site, to provide assurance over this decision and enable any concerns to be raised from the evidence that led to this decision. The board submitted their final report in November 2018

Housing Policy Development Board

The Housing Policy Development Board has been established to examine the housing market in Jersey and to develop comprehensive proposals that improve the supply, affordability, access to, and standard of housing in the Island. These proposals will be considered for incorporation in and delivery via the Government Plan, the Island Plan 2021-30, and other delivery strategies as appropriate. The work of the board will be published throughout 2019 and a final report will be published by April 2020.

Migration Policy Development Board

The Migration Policy Development Board was set up to develop comprehensive migration policy proposals, which will deliver more responsive controls over who can come to live, work and access public services in Jersey, improving consistency wherever practical, and helping to reduce the Island’s reliance on inward migration. The findings of the board will be published by the end of April 2020. An interim report will be published in late 2019.

Early Years Policy Development Board

The Early Years Policy Development Board has been established to examine the provision of Early Years services from conception to aged five and to develop a shared strategic policy position across Early Years. This includes ensuring all children have the best start, proposals for Early Education and Care in Jersey and the delivery of an Early Help offer for children and families.

In addition, Ministers sit as part of several oversight and advisory boards:

Hospital Political Oversight Group

The Group exists to oversee the delivery of a new Hospital in line with the decisions

of the Assembly and the States of Jersey Common Strategic Policy, and to advise and be directed by the Council of Ministers. In particular, it must ensure the Island has a fit-for-purpose, good quality, timely-delivered and value-for-money Hospital which meets the needs of patients and staff.

States Employment Board

The States Employment Board is the employer of all public employees in Jersey and is responsible for fixing these employees’ terms and conditions. It is chaired by the Chief Minister, and brings together two members who are Ministers or Assistant Ministers and two members who are backbench States Members.

One Government Political Oversight Group

The Board, chaired by the Chief Minister, exists to oversee the governance, development and delivery of the One Government Modernisation Programme of activity, including

• Departmental Target Operating Models• Finance Transformation• Efficiencies Programme• Government Plan• Team Jersey• Jersey Standard• Office Modernisation• ICT and Digital Transformation• Island Communication and Engagement

Regeneration Steering Group

The Regeneration Steering Group chaired by the Chief Minister, was established by the Assembly to assist the Treasury and Resources Minister in discharging their responsibilities as shareholder of the States of Jersey Development Company, in particular providing guidance on masterplans.

Legislation Advisory Committee

To develop, as required, legislation relating to the courts and court procedures, probate, wills and succession, and customary law, and other legislative matters as requested by the Chief Minister that otherwise do not fall under the portfolio of another Minister. In addition, the Panel also acts as the point of liaison with the Jersey Law Commission.


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CSP5: We will protect and value our environment

by embracing environmental innovation and ambition, by protecting the natural environment through conservation, protection, sustainable resource use and demand management, and by improving the built environment, to retain the sense of place, culture and distinctive local identity

The following pages summarise the key achievements of each Minister. The icons used in each summary relate to the objectives in the Common Strategic Policy set out below:

We will enable Islanders to lead active lives and benefit from the arts, culture and heritage

A States Assembly and Council of Ministers that work together for the common good

We will work in partnership with Parishes, churches, community groups, the third sector volunteers, businesses and key stakeholders

A new, long-term strategic framework that extends beyond the term of a Council of Ministers

We will improve transport infrastructure and links

We will promote and protect Jersey’s interests, profile and reputation internationally

A modern, innovative public sector that meets the needs of Islanders effectively and efficiently

We will make St Helier a more desirable place to live, work, do business and visit

A sustainable long-term fiscal framework and public finances that make better use of our public assets

An electoral system which encourages voter turnout and meets international best practice.

We will prepare for more Islanders living longer

We will explore and use the opportunities offered by digital

We will nurture a diverse and inclusive society.

CSP4: We will reduce income inequality and improve the standard of living

by improving the quality and affordability of housing, improving social inclusion, and by removing barriers to and at work

CSP3: We will create a sustainable, vibrant economy and skilled local workforce for the future

by delivering an economic framework to improve productivity, by nurturing and strengthening our financial services industry, by enhancing our international profile and promoting our Island identity, by delivering the best outcomes from Brexit, and by improving skills in the local workforce to reduce Jersey’s reliance on inward migration

CSP2: We will improve Islanders’ wellbeing and mental and physical health

by supporting Islanders to live healthier, active, longer lives, improving the quality of and access to mental health services, and by putting patients, families and carers at the heart of Jersey’s health and care system

CSP1: We will put children first

by protecting and supporting children, by improving their educational outcomes and by involving and engaging children in decisions that affect their everyday lives

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Measuring our progress against the Common Strategic Policy

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Highlights of Ministerial achievements

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Leadership of strategic development

As head of the Council of Ministers, the Chief Minister has led the development of the government’s strategic priorities, including the creation of the Common Strategic Policy (CSP), which sets out Ministers’ high-level ambitions for Jersey. The five priorities within the CSP are designed to improve the life chances of all Jersey’s children, to safeguard our Island’s future and ensure that we cherish our environment. The Chief Minister will be presenting the Government Plan 2020-23 to the States Assembly for debate in autumn 2019, setting out in detail how public money will be used to deliver the day-to-day services provided by government.

Oversight of public sector reform

The Chief Minister has oversight of the One Government reforms to the structure of the public sector being implemented under the leadership of the Chief Executive. All changes to departmental structure, responsibilities and reporting lines are scrutinised by the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers, in order to ensure that real efficiencies and improvements to service will be achieved.

Establishing an efficiencies programme

The Chief Minister has identified the need for the Government of Jersey to make £30 million of savings in 2019. These are not one-off efficiencies, but


The Minister has established a Political Oversight Group for the Future Economy Programme. The programme works across government and with industry to identify opportunities and challenges for sectors across our economy. Plans will be developed to maximise opportunities and mitigate challenges to deliver an economic framework to improve productivity. This will drive creation of a sustainable, vibrant economy and a skilled local workforce for the future.


Plans have been submitted by the Minister as part of the Government Plan 2020-23 planning process to establish a Productivity Support Scheme. If approved by the Assembly, this scheme would be open to applicants, from all of Jersey’s sectors, for financial support to deliver transformational initiatives to improve their productivity.

Fort Regent future plan

The Minister has provided oversight to the recently-established team assessing the medium and long-term future of this vital asset. The team are working to assess options for the Minister for the future use of Fort Regent.

a permanent reduction to the costs of the public service. The Chief Minister is overseeing the efficiencies programme, which has the objective of identifying savings to be achieved as a result of modernising the government – by improving processes, better commercial contract management, consolidating assets, stopping the duplication of effort, and through the digitisation and automation of routine tasks and services.

Channel Island Political Oversight Board

The Channel Island Political Oversight Board was established under the joint chairmanship of the Chief Minister and Deputy Gavin St Pier, Chief Minister of Guernsey, to support ongoing cooperation between the two Islands’ public administrations, and to find and support new partnership opportunities to improve public services and reduce costs to taxpayers.

States Employment Board (“SEB”)

The Chief Minister has chaired the States Employment Board since December 2018, and has led the board to the successful conclusion of complex pay negotiations with many of the Government’s employee groups, including manual workers, nurses and midwives, Police officers, doctors, hospital consultants, and headteachers. SEB continues to seek settlement with the remaining groups.

New Damages Law

In January 2019, the States Assembly approved the draft Damages Law, proposed by the Chief Minister, allowing for changes to the way damages payments are assessed and awarded to those who suffer serious, long-term injuries. The Law provides a sound basis for setting a discount rate and for allowing periodic payment orders.

New Access to Justice Law

The Chief Minister proposed the Access to Justice (Jersey) Law, which was approved by the States Assembly on 1 May 2019. The Law provides, for the first time, a statutory basis for the Legal Aid Scheme in Jersey. It also provides a clear process for agreeing the Legal Aid Scheme and making any amendments in the future. The Legal Aid Guidelines Advisory Committee will commence its work in June 2019 and will recommend a scheme to the Chief Minister within six months.


The first part of a review to assess the Island’s sports facilities requirements was delivered to the Minister during the period. A follow-up exercise to assess options and develop a strategy is due to commence shortly.

Review of arts and culture funding

Funding has been secured to stabilise the Island’s arts organisations, in the short term, and to undertake a service review of the three arts arms-length organisations to help safeguard their future.

Telecoms Strategy Steering Group

The Minister has oversight for the Telecoms Strategy Steering Group. This is a cross-governmental, regulatory, and Digital Jersey group, which steered implementation of the telecoms strategy in line with Digital Policy Framework objectives.

Implementation of Digital Skills Strategy

The Minister published the Digital Skills Strategy in 2018, which was developed in partnership with Digital Jersey and the University of Exeter. The strategy recommended the establishment of a Digital Skills Academy to deliver industry led training, which was launched in December 2018.

Medicinal cannabis development

The Minister has created an inter-departmental officer group to establish a viable and responsible industry for the growth and production of medicinal cannabis as part of the Rural Economic Strategy.

Inflation Strategy Group

The Minister established an Inflation Strategy Group to consider and develop any appropriate policy responses to support the Government of Jersey’s commitment to low and stable inflation.

Publication of Jersey Destination Plan

The 2019 Plan, approved by the Minister, sets out the joint ambition between government, Visit Jersey, and the hospitality industry to revitalise the tourism economy and to improve productivity in the sector.

Senator John Le FondréChief Minister

Senator Lyndon FarnhamMinister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture, Deputy Chief Minister

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In preparation for the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union (Brexit), the Minister has chaired the Brexit Ministerial Group and has provided cross-governmental leadership for the Island’s Brexit contingency planning, including engagement with UK Ministers within the Department for Exiting the European Union and Crown Dependency colleagues. He has also provided oversight and political responsibility for all Brexit-related legislation brought before the States Assembly to ensure that the Island’s statute book is effective on exit day. The Minister initiated the government’s public engagement programme ‘Let’s Talk Brexit’, which included the Ready for Brexit week of events in January 2018.

Completion of new Customs Arrangement with the United Kingdom

In November 2018, the Minister signed a Jersey / UK Customs Arrangement, which establishes a customs union between Jersey and the United Kingdom. Similar arrangements were agreed, in parallel, between the UK and Guernsey, and the UK and the Isle of Man. Collectively these arrangements will establish a UK – Crown Dependencies customs union, which is essential for the Island to trade under a number of different scenarios after the UK leaves the EU.


The Minister, alongside the Chief Minister, led successful engagement with UK Ministers and parliamentarians as a result of amendments proposed to the UK’s Financial Services (Implementation of Legislation) Bill. The passage of the Bill would have been contrary to the established constitutional relationship between Jersey and the United Kingdom, and would have required the Island to implement a public register that would have diluted the commitments we have made to transparency and robust regulation.

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In February EU Finance Ministers (ECOFIN) formally confirmed Jersey’s position as a cooperative jurisdiction, following the introduction of economic substance legislation. The Minister had led engagement with the EU Code Group on Business Taxation and Commission Services, to ensure that the Government fully understood their policy objectives, and that Jersey’s proposed legislation achieved that purpose.


In December 2018, the Minister signed a ground-breaking asset-sharing agreement to return confiscated assets to Kenya as part of ongoing work to tackle financial crime. The Framework for Return of Assets from Corruption and Crime to Kenya (FRACCK) represents a significant achievement in relation to the confiscation and return of stolen assets and is designed to act as an example of the kind of innovative legal approach the international community can explore to secure meaningful progress in asset recovery. In May 2019, at their meeting in Addis Ababa, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime recognised the FRACCK as an example of international best practice in asset recovery.

Senator Ian GorstMinister for External Relations

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Appointment as Minister for International Development

Jersey has always taken its obligations as a good global citizen seriously. The Chief Minister’s creation of a Ministerial role for International Development allows our aid programme to be better coordinated with our other international engagement, and also sends a powerful signal that Jersey is a force for good in the world. This is enhanced by the Minister’s role as Chair of the Jersey branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA) - Strategic Plan

Under the oversight of the Minister, Jersey Overseas Aid will publish its first-ever five-year Strategic Plan in 2019, the culmination of months of thought and consultation begun in October 2018. As well as increasing the accountability and effectiveness of aid, it focuses development work overseas on just three keys areas where Jersey can add particular value: dairy, conservation, and financial inclusion.

Enhanced international engagement in aid matters

The Minister’s role is by definition outward-facing, and external engagement helps cement the deep and durable links which underpin Jersey’s place in the world. Highlights of the first year include discussions with the UN on increasing

the donor base for emergencies, hosting workshops with a Director of the World Bank Group, to explore Impact Investing and crossovers with Jersey’s Finance Sector, and representing the Island at an international meeting of financial inclusion donors.

Review of dairy cooperation with Rwanda

In June 2019, the Minister visited Kigali, reviewing Jersey’s enhanced dairy cooperation with the Rwandan Minister of Agriculture. Under the artificial insemination and training programme launched in 2019 – in partnership with the RJA&HS – a life-changing female Jersey calf will be born in Rwanda on average every hour for the next three years. Meanwhile, in Malawi our dairy programme has now reached 90% of the country’s milk producers.

Pooled funding to improve emergency aid

In the past year, Jersey has redirected its emergency aid towards pooled funding programmes, such as UN OCHA’s country-based humanitarian funds and the START Network. Jersey can now provide assistance at the absolute frontline of an emergency, often within 72 hours, while confident that oversight, reporting and risk are managed by professionals locally. Jersey’s place on the Advisory Boards of these respected mechanisms alongside far larger countries helps us punch above our weight in the world.

Facilitating Islanders’ philanthropy

2019 will break the record (set in 2018) for funding of Jersey charities working abroad, and since June last year JOA have sent teams of Islanders to Tanzania (twice), Mongolia and Lebanon, with the Minister taking part in the latter expedition. JOA has also launched two new bursaries for Islanders who want to help others in developing countries, signed an MOU with Skills Jersey to take Trackers Apprentices on learning trips overseas, and inaugurated the Jersey International Development Network to help individuals, charities and philanthropists get involved.


The Minister is leading a new initiative to ensure that the Government of Jersey has a thorough understanding of how Islanders perceive Jersey’s culture and distinctive identity, and that they are nurtured and promoted in the formulation of government policy.

Deputy Carolyn LabeyMinister for International Development

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Ratification of Vienna Convention on Road Traffic

The Minister established the necessary legislative changes to allow Jersey to ratify the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic through the Department for Transport in the UK. The ratification of this, the latest of the international conventions on road traffic, ensures that Jersey businesses and residents will be able to freely travel by road throughout the EU, irrespective of the UK’s position once it leaves the EU.

Award of the construction contract for Les Quennevais school

The Minister placed the contract for the main school building and sports hall at Les Quennevais. Construction is now well underway and due to be completed on time.


The Minister approved the construction of the walking and cycling links across the English and French harbour heads. These were completed in February 2019, extending the off-road network and extending the western cycle route to Havre des Pas.

Oversight of road resurfacing projects

The Minister approved much-needed road resurfacing works on St Clement’s Inner Road, La Route des Quennevais, West Park Roundabout and Gorey Coast Road.

New roadworks and events legislation implemented

The Minister implemented the new Road Works and Events Law (Jersey) 2016 in 2018. In October 2018 a series of presentations were held to update the roadworks industry on the new law and their obligations. It is the Island’s first law to address management and safe working on the road, and there is now a legal framework for roadwork permits, which sets performance standards.

Approval of new sewer and drainage works

The Minister approved installation of new sewage rising mains at Petit Ponterin and Rue De Dielament. A contract was awarded, and work started on the replacement and upgrade of the surface water pumping station at Baudrette Brook at the top of the Dicq Slip, which helps prevent flooding in the area.

Introduction of mobile working practices for operational maintenance

Overseen by the Minister, a new asset management system was introduced in the department, providing a much-needed electronic portal to manage the workflow of planned and reactive works across the support services. The system has received more than 4,900 reactive maintenance requests, and handled more than 6,300 planned tasks during the first year. In October 2018, the department won the Digital Jersey Award for Technology Project of the Year for this project.


The Minister awarded the construction contract for the new £79m sewage treatment works project at Bellozanne. Construction has commenced, with completion due in late 2022.

Upgrade to Fort Regent Cavern

The Minister approved a £500,000 investment to create an automated cleaning system in the cavern underneath Fort Regent to limit the number of times it has to be cleaned. Once fully installed, it will significantly improve the operation of the cavern and reduce onerous maintenance requirements for Growth, Housing and Environment personnel.

Deputy Kevin LewisMinister for Infrastructure

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The Minister improved access to cervical screening, by making the service free in all GP surgeries from August 2018. The Minister also oversaw the further extension of the winter flu vaccine programme.


The Minister has implemented two increases in Income Support rates, providing additional help to all claimants from October 2018 and then introducing a new family supplement from January 2019, to give targeted support to children living in low-income families.


The Minister brought about two increases to minimum wage rates during 2019. This gives a total rise of 52p to the main minimum wage rate, taking it to £8.02 per hour from October 2019. This is the first time since it was introduced in 2005 that the minimum wage will have increased twice in one year.

Health and Safety - Skip and hook loaders

The Minister introduced a new Approved Code of Practice for the safe operation of skip and hook loaders, to provide practical guidance on how to comply with the Health and Safety Law in this area.


This law came into effect in September 2018, extending the period of leave to 26 weeks for both parents and extending the right to request flexible working to all employees in Jersey.


The Minister oversaw the successful introduction of disability discrimination regulations in September 2018. These regulations extend the protection against discrimination law disability issues, using a broad definition of disability.


The Minister supported a Proposition lodged by Deputy Alves to provide compensation to individuals suffering from diffuse mesothelioma, in response to the first States e-petition to reach 1,000 votes. She has subsequently completed the preparatory work for a new compensation scheme, due to be available from October 2019.

Review of ringfenced funds

Over the last 12 months, the Minister has published an actuarial review for each of the three ringfenced funds that she controls. Coordinating the reviews with the development of the CSP and Government Plan gives ministers up-to-date information on the sustainability of these funds and allows actions to be planned well in advance. This detailed analysis of the Social Security Fund will also feed into the review of contributory benefits. The review of the Long Term Care Fund confirmed the successful introduction of the long-term care scheme, but also emphasised the need to increase long-term care contribution rates to support the care costs of an ageing population.

Revenue Jersey

The Minister has supported the introduction of the new Revenue Management System, led by the Treasury Minister. The system will be used to collect both tax and Social Security contributions, which will improve efficiency and customer experience.

Creation of Closer to Home scheme

A range of Government services and voluntary organisations are now available at Communicare community centre in St Brelade to help meet the needs of the local community and avoid them travelling into St Helier. As a result of the success of this approach, Closer to Home is now being rolled out to the built-up area around Samares.

Deputy Judy MartinMinister for Social Security

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The Minister, along with the Chief Minister, launched the Pledge to Put Children First in September 2018, which will hold the Government, legislators and the public service to account for improving safeguarding and care and upholding the rights of every child in the Island.


The Minister led workshops to engage children and young people in the creation of a new Children and Young People’s Plan for Jersey. A new Children’s Strategic Partnership Board has been set up, chaired by the Children’s Minister with senior representatives from key government directorates and voluntary sector agencies which have a significant impact upon children’s lives.

Commissioner for Children and Young People (Jersey) Law

The Minister lodged this legislation, which was passed by the States Assembly this year. The primary objective is to establish a Children’s Commissioner for Jersey, demonstrating that Jersey has not only responded to IJCI recommendations, reflected international best practice and lessons learned from other jurisdictions, but has an independent Commissioner who can act as a champion for the rights of children and young people in Jersey.

Launch of Let’s Be Honest campaign

The Minister is leading a six-month local and international recruitment campaign, Let’s Be Honest, to recruit more social workers to permanent contracts with the objective of reducing turnover and agency costs.


The Minister introduced a new Children’s Rights Officer for Jersey. The focus of the role is to empower and support looked-after children and young people to realise their rights as described in the UNCRC. The role plays a key part in ensuring professionals working with children and young people hear their voices, experiences, and that they have a meaningful involvement in decisions made about their care.

Children’s legislative programme

The Minister published a legislative programme, covering 39 different areas of policy, to deliver wide-ranging changes to laws that have an impact on children’s lives. As part of the programme, Ministers have agreed to a new law being developed that will place an obligation on them and their officials to show they have considered the impact on children’s rights as they develop future government policy and legislation.

Improvements to socially-rented housing

In October, the Minister signed a Ministerial Decision to limit the maximum annual increase in rents for people living in socially-rented housing. Subsequent work with Andium Homes has seen 97% of properties achieve Decent Home Standard, and they are on site delivering 750 new homes.

Independent report on key worker housing

The Minister published an independent report on the Island’s current key worker housing and future needs. 48 studios and two-bedroom apartments have subsequently been made available for nurses, doctors and social workers at Plaisant Court, with refurbishment begun at Hue Court.

Objective Assessment of Housing Needs

The Minister published a report on the Island’s housing needs between 2021 and 2030, identifying the need for up to 7,000 additional homes. The report will help shape the Island Plan.

Senator Sam MézecMinister for Children and Housing

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The Minister supported Island farmers by amending the work permit policy, allowing 130 work permits to be made available to the agriculture industry (the time limit has been extended to 9 months at their request), and for the hospitality industry by amending the Jersey Immigration Work Permit Policy to allow (subject to satisfactory applications), the employment of up to 150 non-EEA (European Economic Area) hospitality workers for a 9 month period.

Launch of Jersey EU Settlement Scheme

In advance of Brexit, the Minister approved a number of amendments to Jersey’s immigration rules. This included an amendment so that EU citizens and citizens of European Economic Area countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) and their family members can apply under the Jersey EU Settlement Scheme to obtain an immigration status: either settled status (indefinite leave to remain) or pre-settled status (limited leave to remain for five years). These and other changes are required so that Jersey remains aligned to the Common Travel Area.

Combined Control Room for emergency services

The Minister approved and oversaw the development of a Combined Control Room for the Ambulance, Fire and Rescue Service and Police. The unit, based at Police

Headquarters, has brought control room staff from each service together to deal with emergency calls and share resources.

Regulations on the removal of vehicles from private land

The States Assembly unanimously adopted the Motor Vehicles (Removal from Private Land) Regulations, brought by the Minister, on 21 May 2019. This legislation enables private landowners to take appropriate action to remove vehicles parked on their land.

Cybercrime Law

The Minister brought the Cybercrime Law to the States Assembly on 29 January 2019, when it was adopted. This law ensures that Jersey keeps pace with developments in computer crime and electronic evidence and meeting the requirements of the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime.

New Sexual Offences Law

The Minister saw the introduction of the new Sexual Offences (Jersey) Law 2018, on 23 November 2018. The law provides victims of sexual offences with greater protection and a clearer pathway to justice. It updates and clarifies the definition of a number of sexual offences. For example, when an adult commits a sexual offence against a child in their care, the new law gives victims more protection than the UK equivalent, and it clarifies the issue of consent that cannot be given if a person is asleep, unconscious or incapable of consenting due to alcohol or any other substance.

New Explosives Law

The States Assembly adopted an amendment to the Explosives Law on 30 April 2019. This will provide the statutory basis for Pyrotechnic Articles Regulations around the sale and use of fireworks, including public displays.

Prison re-development

The Minister approved the request to develop a formal business case to re-develop La Moye Prison, which has resulted in savings of over £17 million.

Connétable Len NormanMinister for Home Affairs

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New Revenue Management System (RMS)

The Minister has overseen the launch of a modern, future-focused computer system, providing the foundation required to deliver reform to our processes and customer services.

Introduction of new Revenue Administration Law

The Minister led the successful approval of the new Revenue Administration Law, an important legislative change to help improve information sharing gateways with other government departments and agencies and to provide a framework for Jersey’s tax administration system, providing an effective and consistent approach to the administration of all taxes.

Full review of the personal income tax regime

The Minister initiated a full review into our personal income tax regime, which included a consultation with Islanders, including an online and telephone survey, focus groups and a chat bot. The results of the consultation will help towards a fundamental reform of personal income tax and shape a fairer and clearer regime for the future.

Draft Public Finances Law

The draft Public Finances Law was debated and approved by the States Assembly

on 4 June. The new legislation will allow improved flexibility and the appropriate financial management and governance framework to control government finances. It will provide a better balance between the Assembly retaining decision-making responsibilities, and the flexibility for government to deal with change in a managed and timely manner.

Annual Report and Accounts

The Minister signed off the Annual Report and Accounts six weeks earlier than previously, resulting in timelier reporting to assist decision makers.

New Income Collection and Reconciliation (ICAR) system

The Minister has overseen the introduction of a corporate income management system that delivers both efficient back-office processing of increasing digital income streams and will provide customers with more ways to pay for Government services in the future.

Unanimous approval of 2019 Budget

In October 2018, the Minister proposed the 2019 Budget that was unanimously approved by the States Assembly. The budget updates the economic outlook, sets out the Island’s national income, increases income tax allowances to benefit lower and middle-income taxpayers, and provides help to both first-time buyers and buyers who will need mortgage finance in the future.

Approval of three loans for community projects.

The Minister brought forward Propositions to provide a loan to St Martin’s Parish for the development of the old school site and a loan to Beaulieu School, for investment in capital projects and to increase the school’s capacity and facilities. She also approved a loan for the JSPCA, to assist with the financial restructuring of the charity.

Allocation of contingencies for the long term benefit of the Island

The Minister has approved the total transfer of around £10 million from central contingencies to support a wide variety of community initiatives to benefit the long term future of the Island. This includes projects spanning across education, art and culture, sport, health, economic development and more.

Deputy Susie PinelMinister for Treasury and Resources

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Ministers agreed last year to scrap fees charged to patients for cervical screening tests. The fee, which was recognised as a barrier preventing some women having the test, was removed from Le Bas Centre, the Island’s community contraception and well woman clinic on 1 June and all GP practices on 1 August. This led to an increase in women going for a cervical screening test. 3,712 women had the test between June last year and February 2019 – a 25.9% increase compared to in the previous year. Uptake of the nasal flu vaccine amongst primary school children was also higher last winter than the year before (61% in 2018 compared to 59% in 2017).


The Minister supported a change in the system for organ donation in Jersey from 1 July this year. From this date, there will be an assumption in law that adults consent to donating their organs after death, unless they say otherwise. In the lead-up to the law change, the Minister and his department launched a campaign reminding Islanders of the importance of having a conversation about organ donation with their families so their wishes are known.


With the support of the Minister, and Assistant Minister Steve Pallett, new leadership arrangements have been established. The Mental Health Improvement Board will push forward any outstanding initiatives against agreed timescales. Strategic objectives by which to measure progress will be in place from 2021. Plans to relocate Orchard House to a newly-refurbished building at Clinique Pinel are being progressed as part of the Government Plan. Relocation work is due to be completed by the end of 2020. It will provide a more therapeutically-safe environment until longer-term plans for the service are developed. The independent advocacy charity, My Voice Jersey, has been awarded a two-year government contract. In the first three months of 2019 the charity, which works with adults and children who are severely affected by mental illness or who lack capacity, has seen up to 100 individuals.

Governance of Health and Community Services

The Comptroller and Auditor General identified that governance arrangements within HCS have improved, although more needs to be done. Substantial work is being undertaken as part of the reorganisation of HCS. The new arrangements mean that services provided in the hospital and in the community are not delivered in isolation. The Minister fully supports a new HCS Board, which will be meeting in public from July.

Improvements for health key workers

One of the issues identified by the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry was the potential barriers to the recruitment and retention of specialised health staff, including staff with essential skills in child welfare and protection. The Minister has supported making moving to Jersey easier for key workers. People moving to Jersey to take on essential roles, such as doctors, nurses and social workers, are being provided with new high-quality key worker accommodation in St Helier. An amendment was made to the Control of Housing and Work Exemptions) (Jersey) Order 2013, by the Chief Minister, which enables children and young people aged 25 and under of health employees who have Entitled, Entitled for Work Only or Licensed Residential and Employment status, to access all categories of employment in Jersey.

Deputy Richard RenoufMinister for Health and Social Services

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Work has begun on the Island Plan 2021-30, which will help shape Jersey’s natural and built environment for the coming decade. Following extensive public consultation and examination in public, the revised Island Plan will be lodged for States approval in 2021.

Improvements in the standard of rental accommodation

Following States Assembly approval of the Public Health and Safety (rented dwellings Jersey) Law in December 2017, the new law came into force on 1 October 2018. The Minister has progressed with developing the associated regulations and licensing scheme. These will be presented to the States Assembly later in 2019, following public consultation.

Determination of Future Hospital planning application

Following a public inquiry, the Minister refused the planning application for a new hospital for Jersey in January 2019. While the Minister accepted there is a well-evidenced and undisputed need for a new hospital, he concluded that there was insufficient justification for making a decision which is inconsistent with the Island Plan.


The Minister approved several changes to commercial and recreational fishing regulations to protect fish stocks, while recognising the importance of local commercial fishermen to Jersey.


The Minister established a consultation on a new Wildlife Law, which is being proposed to replace the current Conservation of Wildlife Law. The new legislation will be debated by the States Assembly later in 2019.

Tackling marine litter

At the British-Irish Council Marine Litter Symposium held in February 2019, the Minister pledged to work with politicians from across Britain and Ireland to tackle marine litter.

Improving water quality

The Minister focused on improving water quality by working in partnership with the agricultural industry, Jersey Water, and land owners through the Action for Clean Water Group. This focus has resulted in a continued reduction in nitrates and pesticide detections in the Island’s water resources. The Minister intends for these voluntary measures to be reinforced through new Water Management Orders and a new Water Code which will be issued shortly, under the Water Pollution (Jersey) Law 2000.


The Minister has established a technical and political group to investigate the Island-wide levels of PFOS contamination in streams and groundwater (public and private water supplies). PFOS is a persistent organic pollutant found in carpet and clothing treatments, and fire-fighting foams. A thorough sampling of the Island has been undertaken that, as well as water, also includes crops and livestock that may have been irrigated or supplied with water. The results will inform an interim report which will contain recommendations for the future.

Deputy John YoungMinister for the Environment

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Early Years – Establishing a Policy Development Board

The Minister established a Policy Development Board towards the end of 2018 to review the policy context and services delivered to children in their early years. The board has been asked to explore a number of areas to identify key issues and solutions, including to deliver a refreshed and fit-for-purpose Nursery Education Fund in 2020.

Education (Jersey) Law 1999 and Day Care of Children (Jersey) Law 2002

The Minister is leading a full review and update of these pieces of legislation to ensure they are up to date and fit for the modern educational and day care agenda. Policy officials have already started work on the Children’s Legislation Transformation Plan, which encompasses the above. The Minister for Education will work closely with officers to identify all areas to be reviewed, ensuring wide public consultation takes place.

Consultation on further education

The Minister for Education, along with the Assistant Minister for Education (with responsibility for further and higher education), wishes to explore a number of key issues experienced by students at post-16 education. A Green Paper consultation of the Strategic Vision for Post-16 Education was launched on 10 May 2019 and closes on 21 June. Feedback

from the consultation will be considered alongside the Post-16 Education Report produced by the Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel, in April 2019.

Review of Higher Education Fund (HEF)

A review of Higher Education Funding is underway in order to develop proposals for a permanent scheme, as part of the Government Plan, by the end of 2019. Subject to approval, the new proposal will replace the current scheme, which will run until 2020. For any students either currently studying in higher education or commencing higher education studies in 2020, the current scheme will apply for the duration of their qualification.

Jersey’s first BA (Hons) Social Work Degree (Jersey)

The Minister announced a new social work degree at University College Jersey at Highlands College, in a partnership with the University of Sussex. This degree is part of the department’s drive to recruit more permanent social workers. It is an exciting opportunity to grow our own highly-skilled workforce to protect the welfare of our most vulnerable children and young people and to help Jersey to be the best place for children to grow up in.

School Meals pilot

The Minister announced a new school meals pilot, which will be trialled for two years in order to assess the impact of the meals, before assessing whether it can be rolled out at all primary schools. If the project is successful, then any extension of the programme would go out to tender.

Anti-bullying workshops

The Minister led a group of anti-bullying student ambassadors and their teachers on a trip to London, to take part in a nationwide event that aims to stop bullying. It was the first time that the Island had representatives attending The Diana Award’s anti-bullying event, which engages young people, parents and teachers to change the attitudes, behaviour and culture of bullying both online and offline. Jersey Anti-Bullying Ambassadors have important roles in our schools. They help to educate their peers on bullying, lead on anti-bullying campaigns, promote a culture, which celebrates and accepts difference and help to keep their peers safe, both online and offline.

Senator Tracey ValloisMinister for Education

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Accountability

34 35Accountability AccountabilityThe Council of Ministers One Year in Office The Council of Ministers One Year in Office

States Assembly

The Chief Minister and Council of Ministers are nominated and chosen by the Members of the States Assembly through a series of votes, following the Islandwide election.

The Assembly retains the power to bring a vote of no confidence in, or censure of, any Minister, public body or the Council of Ministers as a whole.

The Assembly is the ultimate deliberative body, and the Council of Ministers are accountable to them for their actions and decisions.

All major pieces of new legislation, or amendments to existing legislation, must be brought before the Assembly for debate (called Propositions), as must key policy decisions - including the Common Strategic Policy and Government Plan.

It is common that backbench members of the States Assembly (those not in the Council of Ministers) will bring amendments to Government Propositions that must be debated.

The Council of Ministers, and individual Ministers, also provide formal Reports to the States Assembly on the matters within their areas of responsibility. Within the last year these have included, for example:

• Tourism Development Fund: Annual Report 2017

• Codes of Conduct and Practice for Ministers and Assistant Ministers

• Common Strategic Policy 2018–22: Draft Indicative Programme for Government Plan 2020–23

• States of Jersey Investment Strategies (November 2018)

• Brexit Report: January 2019 update• Jersey Police Complaints

Authority: Annual Report 2018

At each States sitting, Members have the opportunity to question Ministers on their areas of responsibility, which can be done in several ways. States Members may submit a maximum of 5 written questions for one States sitting about a matter for which a Minister has official responsibility. Each question has a limit of 200 words,

and written answers are circulated to Members at the beginning of the sitting.

Members may also submit up to 2 oral questions, with notice, at each meeting. These questions are read out in the States Chamber and the answers read in full by the Minister questioned. Extra questions, known as ‘supplementary questions’, can then be asked without prior notice. The oral question period lasts for 2 hours and lots are drawn before the meeting by the Greffier (the clerk of the Assembly) to determine the order in which questions will be answered during the time allowed.

On the first day of every scheduled States sitting 30 minutes is also allocated for questions without notice to Ministers. This is in addition to the 2-hour period allowed for the answering of oral questions that have been submitted in advance. The Chief Minister and each of the 11 ministers answer according to a rota drawn up by the Greffier of the States several months in advance. The Chief Minister is required to answer questions without notice for 15 minutes at every other States meeting.

Scrutiny Panels and Committees

Scrutiny panels and the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hold the government to account on their policies, work and other matters of interest.

There are five scrutiny panels and the PAC, which review different parts of the government:

• Corporate Services (Chief Minister, Treasury)

• Economic Affairs (including External Relations)

• Education and Home Affairs• Environment, Housing and Infrastructure• Health and Social Security• PAC (responsible for overseeing

the Government’s expenditures)

Scrutiny panels are made up of backbench States Members. The PAC is made up of States Members and members of the public.

Ministers undertake quarterly public hearings with the panel(s) established to

review their area of responsibility, as well as providing private briefings to the Members.

Scrutiny panels and the PAC carry out reviews of government policies, legislation and public services. They do this by gathering and examining evidence from various stakeholders. This includes the Government and members of the public. They have the power to call for evidence and witnesses relevant to their work.

In addition to the core panels, specialist Review Panels may be established to examine the work of Government on specific issues that are critical to the Island. At present, the following panels have been established:

• Brexit Review Panel• Future Hospital Review Panel• Care of Children in Jersey Review Panel• Gender Pay Gap Review Panel• Legal Aid Review Panel• OneGov Review Panel

Public engagement and scrutiny

Following the announcement of the Common Strategic Policy in October 2018, the Government of Jersey provided the opportunity for members of public to meet members of the Council of Ministers at a series of public events, where senior politicians explained their plans for their time in office.

Three ‘Meet the Ministers’ events took place across the Island in November 2018. The Chief Minister hosted each evening, joined by various members of the Council of Ministers. The Ministers spoke about their proposals for the 2019 budget and the work they plan to prioritise for their four years in office. They then opened the floor to questions, and to hear Islanders’ concerns.

There will be more Meet the Ministers sessions taking place in 2019.

In January 2019, as part of the ‘Ready for Brexit’ week of public engagement, Ministers also took part in a public Q&A panel session on the Island’s preparations for Brexit, attended by over 200 Islanders, and broadcast over Facebook Live.

Members of the public and the media may also submit a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to any government department and Minister, in order to access information held by the Government of Jersey.

Access to information under FOI can:

• help to inform you of how the government and public authorities work in Jersey

• allow you to take part in debate about issues that may affect you or your family

• help you find information to develop ideas or inform your business decisions.

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38 39International identity and reputation


International identity and reputationThe Council of Ministers has oversight and responsibility for Jersey’s external relationships, as set out in the Common Policy on External Relations. This includes the constitutional relationship with Jersey’s most important partner, the United Kingdom, as well as engagement with the European Union and its other Member States, and the development of the Island’s international identity.

Constitutional relationship with the UK

In March 2019, the Chief Minister and Minister for External Relations accompanied colleagues from Guernsey and the Isle of Man to meet UK Ministers, to ensure that the Islands’ constitutional position was understood, following an attempt by UK parliamentarians to legislate directly for the Crown Dependencies. As a result, the proposed legislation was withdrawn.

The Chief Minister and Minister for External Relations have also represented the Island at two British-Irish Council Summit meetings in the past year (June and November 2018).

A comprehensive programme of UK parliamentary engagement has been undertaken by the Minister for External Relations and Chief Minister, organised by the Jersey London Office, including attending four major party conferences, meetings with the Justice Select Committee, the Chair of the Treasury Select Committee and Foreign Affairs Select Committee, and the Shadow Lord Chancellor.

In May 2019, the Minister for External Relations and the Deputy Chief Minister, attended the Scottish Conservative Conference, meeting then Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Theresa May MP, and the Secretary of State for the Environment, Rt. Hon. Michael Gove MP.

Brexit

The Council of Ministers has led the Island’s preparations for the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union, including substantial planning for a ‘Day 1 No Deal’ or ‘Hard Brexit’ scenario.

The Brexit Ministerial Group, led by

the Minister for External Relations, and comprising the Chief Minister, Minister for Treasury and Resources, Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for the Environment, Minister for Economic Development and Minister for Infrastructure, has overall responsibility for that contingency planning, and for approval of the Island’s Brexit priorities.

The Minister for External Relations has represented the Island at quarterly meetings between the Ministerial representatives of the Crown Dependencies and Robin Walker MP, Minister at the Department for Exiting the European Union (DExEU), as well as meeting with Christopher Heaton-Harris MP, who had been given Ministerial responsibility within DExEU for Day One No Deal preparations.

European neighbours

The Ministry of External Relations enhanced Jersey’s profile and identity with EU embassies in London through an intensive programme of meetings at Ministerial/Ambassadorial level.

The Minister for External Relations met the French Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Senators and Deputies, the French Brexit co-ordinator on ports, and the Europe Adviser to the French Prime Minister to further our travel and trade interests.

In Brussels, the Minister for External Relations met the Permanent Representatives of the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Denmark and Malta, senior German and UK officials, and a senior adviser to EU Tax Commissioner, Pierre Moscovici, to further Jersey’s interests.

Ministers and officials pressed for Jersey’s removal from the EU Commission’s list of ‘non-cooperative jurisdictions’, leading to confirmation by EU Finance Ministers’ confirmation in March that Jersey is a compliant and co-operative jurisdiction

The Chief Minister made an official visit to Madeira in March 2019, to undertake high-level discussions about continued bilateral co-operation between our Islands. The Deputy Chief Minister also attended the Salon International

de l’Agriculture in Paris in February 2019.

In May 2019, Ministers hosted the third annual political summit with the Government of Guernsey and the departmental council of Ille-et-Vilaine, to review ways in which the three jurisdictions have been working together, following a cooperation agreement signed in 2017. The Chief Minister also welcomed the President of the La Manche region to Jersey in June 2018.

Global markets

The Global Markets Strategy, agreed in 2017, sets out the Government’s efforts to broaden and deepen Jersey’s governmental, political and commercial relationships with priority countries, worldwide.

In the past year, the Government has concluded negotiations with Bahrain concerning a Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral cooperation in financial regulation, culture, and the digital sector. Ministers have also concluded negotiations with the UAE on Jersey’s first-ever Bilateral Investment Treaty.

The Chief Minister made an official visit to China, his first long-haul overseas visit as head of Jersey’s Government. In addition, the Minister for External Relations made high-profile visits to the UAE, Bahrain, Kenya and Rwanda, meeting Ministers, senior officials and business representatives, and attended the World Government Summit in Dubai – the first time that Jersey has been invited as a guest of the UAE Government.

The Minister for External Relations also attended the World Economic Forum Middle East North Africa (MENA) in April 2019, and the Deputy Chief Minister attended a US inward investment summit in June 2019.

Inter-Island relationship

The Channel Islands Political Oversight Board was established under the joint chairmanship of both Islands’ Chief Ministers, to support ongoing cooperation between the two Islands’ public administrations, and to find and support new partnership opportunities to improve public services and reduce costs to taxpayers.

At its first meeting, the board discussed and agreed a pipeline of opportunities across a wide

range of public services, and agreed some priority work streams, where significant progress can be made within the next 6-12 months. This includes joint working on policy development, including through joint commissioning of external experts, secondments of policy officials between Islands, joint teams, joint Island community engagement, joint performance measures and the potential for a joint graduate programme with placements in both Islands

Financial regulation and transparency

Under the oversight of the Minister for External Relations, the Government of Jersey continues to meet and exceed global best-practice in financial services regulation and transparency.

In late 2018, the Government signed and ratified three new Double Taxation Agreements with the UK, Liechtenstein, and Mauritius – helping to facilitate business flows and demonstrate the Island’s commitment to compliance with international tax standards set by the OECD. Ministers also negotiated and agreed a Memorandum of Understanding on Financial Cooperation with Kenya; and signed a ground-breaking Framework for Return of Assets from Corruption and Crime to Kenya, alongside Switzerland and the UK.

International Development

The Minister for International Development attended a meeting at the UN’s headquarters to discuss Jersey’s ongoing humanitarian support in Syria and the Central African Republic through the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Further official trips have included Lebanon, where she attended the Annual Meeting of the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP) in Beirut, as well as field visits to refugee camps with the Lebanese Red Cross and International Committee of the Red Cross. The Minister addressed the opening session of the World Jersey Cattle Bureau (WJCB) in Kigali alongside Rwanda’s Minister of Agriculture and visited refugee camps where a joint JOA-Comic Relief project addresses the lack of basic financial services for displaced communities.


Appendix

42 43Appendix Appendix

Leadership of strategic development

Oversight of public sector reform

Establishing an efficiencies programme

Channel Islands Political Oversight Board

States Employment Board

New Damages Law

New Access to Justice Law



Fort Regent future plan


Review of arts and culture funding

Telecoms Strategy Steering Group

Implementation of Digital Skills Strategy

Inflation Strategy Group

Medicinal cannabis development

Publication of Jersey Destination Plan


Completion of new Customs Arrangement with the UK


Jersey deemed a co-operative jurisdiction by the EU Code of Conduct Group on Business Taxation


Appointment as Minister for International Development

Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA) - strategic plan

Enhanced international engagement in aid matters

Review of dairy cooperation with Rwanda

Pooled funding to improve emergency aid

Facilitating Islanders’ philanthropy


Ratification of Vienna Convention on Road Traffic

Highlights of Ministerial achievements measured against Common Strategic Policy objectives


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44 45

Award of the construction contract for Les Quennevais school


New Roadworks and Events legislation implemented

Oversight of road resurfacing projects

Approval of new sewer and drainage works

Oversight of car park refurbishments

Introduction of mobile working practices for operational maintenance


Upgrade to Fort Regent Cavern





Health and Safety - Skip and hook loaders



Review of Ringfenced funds

Creation of Closer to Home

Revenue Jersey



Children’s legislative programme

Launch of Let’s Be Honest campaign


Commissioner for Children and Young People Law

Improvements to socially-rented housing

Independent report on key worker housing

Objective Assessment of Housing Needs


Launch of Jersey EU Settlement Scheme

Combined Control Room for emergency services

Regulations on the removal of vehicles from private land

Appendix AppendixThe Council of Ministers One Year in Office The Council of Ministers One Year in Office


46 47

Cybercrime Law

Sexual Offences Law

New Explosives Law

Prison re-development

New Revenue Management System (RMS)

Introduction of new Revenue Administration Law

Full review of the personal income tax regime

Draft Public Finances Law

Allocation of contingencies for the long term benefit of the Island

Annual Report and Accounts

New Income Collection and Reconciliation (ICAR) system

Unanimous approval of 2019 Budget

Approval of three loans for community projects




Governance of Health and Community Services

Improvements for health key workers

Early Years – Establishing a Policy Development Board

Education (Jersey) Law 1999 and Day Care of Children (Jersey) Law 2002

Consultation on further education

Review of Higher Education Fund (HEF)

Jersey’s first BA (Hons) Social Work Degree (Jersey)

School meals pilot

Anti-bullying workshops


Improvements in the standard of rental accommodation

Determination of Future Hospital planning application



Tackling marine litter

Improving water quality


Appendix AppendixThe Council of Ministers One Year in Office The Council of Ministers One Year in Office


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